Systems and methods to transition between media content items

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media are configured to detect a concept reflected in a first media content item to which a user is provided access. It is determined that the concept has a threshold level of relevance to the user. The concept is associated with an element that upon selection causes a transition to a second media content item to which the user is provided access, the second media content item reflecting the concept. The element is presented in the first media content item for the user.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present technology relates to processing of media content items.More particularly, the present technology relates to techniques formanaging transitions among media content items through a media contentplatform.

BACKGROUND

Users often utilize computing devices for a wide variety of purposes.Users can use their computing devices to, for example, interact with oneanother, access media content, share media content, and create mediacontent. In some cases, media content can be provided by users of asocial networking system. The media content can include one or acombination of, for example, text, images, videos, and audio. The mediacontent may be published to the social networking system for consumptionby others.

Under conventional approaches, media content provided through a socialnetworking system can be accessed by users of the social networkingsystem in various manners. In some cases, various media content can beprovided to a member based on interests of the user as determined by thesocial networking system. For example, the various media content can bepresented as a list of media content items from which the user canselect one or more media content items. In other cases, various mediacontent can be accessed by a user based on navigation by the user topages and profiles of other users on the social networking system. Thepages and profiles can present media content items available forselection and access by the user.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments of the present technology can include systems,methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured to detecta concept reflected in a first media content item to which a user isprovided access. It is determined that the concept has a threshold levelof relevance to the user. The concept is associated with an element thatupon selection causes a transition to a second media content item towhich the user is provided access, the second media content itemreflecting the concept. The element is presented in the first mediacontent item for the user.

In an embodiment, a type of the first media content item is at least oneof an image, video, virtual content, and audio content.

In an embodiment, a type of the second media content item is at leastone of an image, video, virtual content, and audio content.

In an embodiment, the element can be selected through a gesture by theuser.

In an embodiment, the element is positioned within a threshold distancefrom a position of the concept reflected in the first media contentitem.

In an embodiment, a motion trajectory of the concept is in the firstmedia content item is detected. The element in the first media contentitem is positioned to follow the motion trajectory.

In an embodiment, the presenting the element in the first media contentitem is permitted by a provider of the first media content item.

In an embodiment, the transition to the second media content item ispermitted by a provider of the second media content item.

In an embodiment, the element is a transition marker.

In an embodiment, a tag indicative of subject matter of the concept ispresented within a threshold distance from a position of the conceptreflected in the first media content item.

Various embodiments of the present technology can include systems,methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured toreceive from a user a selection associated with a first media contentitem to cause a transition from the first media content item. Atransition between the first media content item and a second mediacontent item is configured. The transition is presented for the user inresponse to the selection.

In an embodiment, the receipt from a user of a selection comprisesreceiving a selection of a transition marker associated with a conceptreflected in the first media content item. A plurality of media contentitems are determined based on a tag associated with the concept. A mediacontent item is selected from the plurality of media content items asthe second media content item.

In an embodiment, a type of the first media content item is at least oneof an image, video, virtual content, and audio content.

In an embodiment, a type of the second media content item is at leastone of an image, video, virtual content, and audio content.

In an embodiment, the determining a plurality of media content items isfurther based on inclusion by each of the plurality of media contentitems of the tag associated with the concept.

In an embodiment, the selecting a media content item from the pluralityof media content items comprises: scoring each of the plurality of mediacontent items based on at least one of a degree of similarity between atag associated with a media content item and the tag associated with theconcept, a level of relevance of a tag associated with a media contentitem to interests of the user, whether a media content item is providedby a connection of the user on a social networking system, and apopularity of a media content item in the social networking system; andselecting the media content item from the plurality of media contentitems as the second media content item based on the scoring.

In an embodiment, each of the plurality of media content items isscored. A threshold number of highest scoring media content items of theplurality of media content items are presented to the user as candidatesfor the second media content item. A selection of the second mediacontent item from the highest scoring media content items is receivedfrom the user.

In an embodiment, the transition is permitted by a provider of thesecond media content item.

In an embodiment, the second media content item provides a moreimmersive experience for the user than the first media content item.

In an embodiment, the first media content item is associated with aconnection of the user and is presented at a profile or portalassociated with the user. The transition includes presentation of theprofile or portal associated with the user transitioning to presentationof a profile or portal associated with the connection.

Various embodiments of the present technology can include systems,methods, and non-transitory computer readable media configured todetermine orientation data associated with a first media content item. Asecond media content item to which the first media content cantransition is selected based on the orientation data. A transition fromthe first media content item to the second media content item ispresented.

In an embodiment a type of the first media content item is at least oneof an image, video, virtual content, and audio content.

In an embodiment, a type of the second media content item is at leastone of an image, video, virtual content, and audio content.

In an embodiment, the orientation data associated with the first mediacontent item includes at least one of an angle of a camera used tocapture content, translational velocity of the camera, rotationalvelocity of the camera, and a user view angle with respect to a conceptdepicted in the first media content item.

In an embodiment, orientation data associated with the second mediacontent item is the same as the orientation data associated with thefirst media content item.

In an embodiment, orientation data associated with the second mediacontent item is within a threshold difference value of the orientationdata associated with the first media content item.

In an embodiment, a plurality of media content items are scored based onan extent to which orientation data associated with each matches theorientation data associated with the first media content item.

In an embodiment, a media content item of the plurality of media contentitems with a highest score is selected as the second media content item.

In an embodiment, the presenting a transition from the first mediacontent item to the second media content item comprises directing a userview at a concept depicted in the second media content item based on theorientation data associated with the first media content item.

In an embodiment, the presenting a transition from the first mediacontent item to the second media content item comprises adjustingorientation data associated with the second media content item to bewithin a threshold difference value from the orientation data associatedwith the first media content item.

It should be appreciated that many other features, applications,embodiments, and/or variations of the disclosed technology will beapparent from the accompanying drawings and from the following detaileddescription. Additional and/or alternative implementations of thestructures, systems, non-transitory computer readable media, and methodsdescribed herein can be employed without departing from the principlesof the disclosed technology.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system including an example media contenttransitions module, according to an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example tagging and metadata module, according toan embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example content transitions module, according toan embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example transition matching module, according toan embodiment of the present technology.

FIGS. 3A-3G illustrate example scenarios, according to an embodiment ofthe present technology.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example method relating to tagging and metadata,according to an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example method relating to content transitions,according to an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method relating to transition matching,according to an embodiment of the present technology.

FIG. 6 illustrates a network diagram of an example system that can beutilized in various scenarios, according to an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a computer system that can be utilizedin various scenarios, according to an embodiment of the presenttechnology.

The figures depict various embodiments of the disclosed technology forpurposes of illustration only, wherein the figures use like referencenumerals to identify like elements. One skilled in the art will readilyrecognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments ofthe structures and methods illustrated in the figures can be employedwithout departing from the principles of the disclosed technologydescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Transitions for Media Content Items

As mentioned, users often utilize computing devices for a wide varietyof purposes. Users can use their computing devices to, for example,interact with one another, access media content, share media content,and create media content. In some cases, media content can be providedby users of a social networking system. The media content can includeone or a combination of, for example, text, images, videos, and audio.The media content may be published to the social networking system forconsumption by others.

Under conventional approaches, media content provided through a socialnetworking system can be accessed by users of the social networkingsystem in various manners. For example, various media content can beprovided to a member based on interests of the user as determined by thesocial networking system. The various media content can be presented asa list of media content items from which the user can select one or moremedia content items. As another example, various media content can beaccessed by a user based on desired navigation by the user to pages andprofiles of other users on the social networking system. The pages andprofiles can present media content items available for selection andaccess by the user.

Management of access to media content items under conventionalapproaches can pose challenges for both users who desire access to mediacontent items and content providers who provide media content itemsthrough the social networking system for access by users. With respectto users desiring access to media content items, conventional approachescan fail to provide access to a full or complete selection of mediacontent items that may be of interest to a user. In some circumstances,a list of media content items that have been determined to be relevantto a user can be provided to the user for selection. However, if a userviews a concept that is of interest to the user while accessing a mediacontent item, the user is often unable to expeditiously and seamlesslyexplore other media content items that may be related to the concept.Accordingly, the experience of users seeking other media content itemsof interest can suffer in such circumstances. With respect to contentproviders of media content items, conventional approaches often deprivecontent providers the capability of optimizing user experience inrelation to consumption of their media content items. In many instances,a content provider does not have the ability to configure its mediacontent items to indicate to a user consuming the media content itemthat certain portions thereof are linked to other media content.Further, in many instances, the content provider does not have theability to allow a user to seamlessly transition to the other linkedmedia content while accessing the original media content item.

An improved approach rooted in computer technology overcomes theforegoing and other disadvantages associated with conventionalapproaches specifically arising in the realm of computer technology.Systems, methods, and computer readable media of the present technologycan allow automatic identification of concepts, such as persons,objects, places, and topics, in a media content item. The identificationof concepts can be performed by various recognition techniques, such asimage recognition or video recognition. Identified concepts can beassigned elements (or references) presented in a media content item.Elements can include tags that are descriptive of the subject matterreflected by the concepts and associated with orientation data relatingto the media content item, as well as transition markers allowingtransitions to other media content items. In some instances, the tagsand transition markers can appear in the media content item adjacent totheir corresponding concepts. When a concept, such as an object,undergoes movement in a presentation of the media content item, such asa video, the associated tag and transition marker can follow a motiontrajectory of the concept. In some instances, not all tags andtransition markers associated with concepts reflected in the mediacontent item are presented to the user. Rather, only tags and transitionmarkers associated with selected concepts that have been determined tobe of relevance to the user are presented in the media content item forthe user. The transition markers in the media content item can beassociated with transitions from the media content item to other mediacontent items. The other media content items can reflect concepts thatare the same as or similar to the concepts reflected in the originalmedia content item. Upon selection of a transition marker by a useraccessing the media content item, the user can transition (or“teleport”, “tunnel”, “jump”, etc.) from the media content item toanother media content item. To select the other media content item,contextual data such as orientation data associated with the originalmedia content item is maintained to optimize user experience. In somecases, orientation data associated with a media content item can includecamera orientation data and user view data. Orientation data associatedwith a media content item to which the user can transition can beadapted to match orientation data associated with an original mediacontent. More details regarding the present technology are describedherein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 including an example mediacontent transitions module 102 configured to selectively manage andcontrol transitions involving media content, according to an embodimentof the present technology. The media content transitions module 102 canallow a user of a social networking system to transition (or “teleport”,“tunnel”, “jump”, etc.) from a portion of a first media content item toa related portion of a second media content item. For example, atransition can link two media content items that depict a common object.The transition from the first media content item to the second mediacontent item can occur while the user is accessing (or consuming) thefirst media content item. For example, the transition can occur beforepresentation (e.g., playback, live streaming, etc.) of the first mediacontent item reaches an end point of the media content item. Atransition between two media content items can be supported by elements(or references), such as tags and transition markers. A tag can be arecognized term in a social networking system that corresponds with aconcept, such as a person, object, place, or topic. One or more conceptscan be automatically detected in a first media content item. Upondetection, a tag descriptive of or otherwise corresponding to theconcept can be presented in the media content item to indicate thepresence of the concept. A transition marker associated with the conceptand corresponding tag can be presented in the first media content item.The transition marker can indicate to the user an option to transitionfrom the first media content item to another media content item based onthe tag. A user may choose to transition from the first media contentitem to access more media content items relating to the conceptassociated with the tag. For example, a concept corresponding to a tagcan be present in a first media content item and a second media contentitem. In this example, selection of a transition marker associated withthe tag as presented in the first media content item can allow the userto automatically proceed to access the second media content item at aposition where the tag appears in the second media content item. In thisway, the user can be provided with additional media content items inaccordance with her interests. The second media content item can beselected or adapted so that user experience for the user is optimized inproceeding from the first media content item. In some cases, contextualdata, such as orientation data associated with the first media contentitem, can be used to select or adapt the second media content item toensure a smooth transition.

A media content item in accordance with the present technology can beany type of media content item. Types of media content items can includean image (e.g., two dimensional (2D) image), a video (e.g., 2D videos),virtual content (e.g., panoramic photos, 360 photos, photo spheres, 360videos, virtual reality (VR) environments), audio, or a combinationthereof. The virtual content can be any content that captures 360 degreeviews and/or presents any three-dimensional (3D) content orenvironments. In one example, the virtual content can include aspherical video (or 360 video) that captures a 360 degree view of ascene. Some examples can include videos composed using monoscopic 360degree views, videos composed using stereoscopic 180 degree views, etc.The spherical video can be created by stitching together various videostreams, or feeds, that were captured by cameras that are placed atdifferent locations and/or positions to capture a 360 degree view of thescene. Such video streams may be predetermined for various angles (e.g.,0 degree, 30 degrees, 60 degrees, etc.) of the spherical video. Oncestitched together, a user can access the spherical video through aviewport to view a portion of the spherical video at some angle. Theportion of the spherical video shown to the user can be determined basedon the location and direction of the viewport in three-dimensionalspace. In another example, virtual content can include virtual reality(VR) content and environments. VR constitutes simulated environmentspresented through a viewport mounted within headgear or other equipmentworn by a user. The simulated environments can be replications of actualplaces or fictional worlds that are presented via the equipment. A userhas the ability to move freely in the simulated environment and tointeract with it as desired. A user can interact with the simulatedenvironment through commands provided to the equipment or user gesturesdetected by the equipment. Spherical videos are referenced herein forease of illustration. However, the present technology can be adapted forany type of media content item supportive of an immersive userexperience including, for example, half sphere videos (e.g., 180 degreevideos), arbitrary partial sphere videos, 225 degree videos, 3D 360videos, to name some examples. In various embodiments, the presenttechnology described herein can be adapted for any media content itemthat partially or wholly encompasses (or surrounds) a viewer (or user).Moreover, such media content items need not be limited to, for example,videos that are formatted using a spherical shape but may also beapplied to immersive media content items (e.g., videos) formatted usingother shapes including, for example, cubes, pyramids, and other shaperepresentations of a video recorded three dimensional world.

Various embodiments are discussed herein for purposes of illustration. Atransition can be described herein in relation to access by a user of afirst media content item that proceeds to a different second mediacontent item. The present technology also encompasses transitions from afirst portion (e.g., scene, space) of a media content item to a secondportion (e.g., scene, space) of the same media content item. As anotherexample, some transitions can be described in relation to a particularfirst type of media content item followed by a particular second type ofmedia content item. The present technology encompasses transitions fromany type of media content item to any type of media content item. Toname some examples, a transition can include but is not limited to thefollowing types of media content items: a 360 video that proceeds to a360 video; a 360 video that proceeds to a VR environment; a VRenvironment that proceeds to a 360 video; a VR environment that proceedsto a VR environment; a 360 video that proceeds to an image; a VRenvironment that proceeds to an image; a 360 video that proceeds toaudio content; a VR environment that proceeds to audio content; audiocontent that proceeds to a 360 video; audio content that proceeds to aVR environment; etc. Many variations are possible.

The media content transitions module 102 can include a tagging andmetadata module 104, a content transitions module 106, and a transitionmatching module 108. The components (e.g., modules, elements, steps,blocks, etc.) shown in this figure and all figures herein are exemplaryonly, and other implementations may include additional, fewer,integrated, or different components. Some components may not be shown soas not to obscure relevant details. In various embodiments, one or moreof the functionalities described in connection with the media contenttransitions module 102 can be implemented in any suitable combinations.

The tagging and metadata module 104 can allow automatic identificationof concepts, such as persons, objects, places, and topics, in a mediacontent item. The identification of concepts can be performed by variousrecognition techniques, such as image recognition, video recognition,audio recognition, etc. Identified concepts can be assigned tagsdescriptive of or identifying the subject matter reflected by theconcepts. In some embodiments, tags also can be associated withorientation data. A tag and a transition marker to permit transition toa related media content item can be presented in a media content itemadjacent to their corresponding concept. Functionality of the taggingand metadata module 104 is described in more detail herein.

The content transitions module 106 can perform a transition from a firstmedia content item to a second media content item based on a tag. Insome embodiments, a transition can be associated with a media contentitem as determined by a social networking system or a content providerresponsible for uploading the media content item to the socialnetworking system. A transition can be indicated to a user by atransition marker that appears in the first media content item adjacentto an associated concept. Upon selection of a transition marker by auser, the user can transition from the first media content item to thesecond media content item. One or more media content items can reflect aconcept or orientation data that is the same as or similar to theconcept or orientation data associated with the tag in the first mediacontent item. The second media content item to which the user istransitioned can be selected from the one or more media content itemsbased on various considerations. Functionality of the contenttransitions module 106 is described in more detail herein.

The transition matching module 108 can select or configure a transitionfrom a first media content item to a second media content item tooptimize user experience based on orientation data associated with thefirst media content item. The orientation data can include, for example,camera orientation and a user view. The second media content item can beselected based on a match between the orientation data associated withthe first media content item and the orientation data associated withthe second media content item. In some instances, orientation dataassociated with the second media content item can be adapted to matchthe orientation data associated with the first media content item.Functionality of the transition matching module 108 is described in moredetail herein.

In some embodiments, the media content transitions module 102 can beimplemented, in part or in whole, as software, hardware, or anycombination thereof. In general, a module as discussed herein can beassociated with software, hardware, or any combination thereof. In someimplementations, one or more functions, tasks, and/or operations ofmodules can be carried out or performed by software routines, softwareprocesses, hardware, and/or any combination thereof. In some cases, themedia content transitions module 102 can be, in part or in whole,implemented as software running on one or more computing devices orsystems, such as on a server or a client computing device. For example,the media content transitions module 102 can be, in part or in whole,implemented within or configured to operate in conjunction or beintegrated with a social networking system (or service), such as asocial networking system 630 of FIG. 6. As another example, the mediacontent transitions module 102 can be implemented as or within adedicated application (e.g., app), a program, or an applet running on auser computing device or client computing system. In some instances, themedia content transitions module 102 can be, in part or in whole,implemented within or configured to operate in conjunction or beintegrated with client computing device, such as a user device 610 ofFIG. 6. It should be understood that many variations are possible.

The system 100 can include a data store 110 configured to store andmaintain various types of data, such as the data relating to support ofand operation of the media content transitions module 102. The datastore 110 also can maintain other information associated with a socialnetworking system. The information associated with the social networkingsystem can include data about users, social connections, socialinteractions, locations, geo-fenced areas, maps, places, events, groups,posts, communications, content, account settings, privacy settings, anda social graph. The social graph can reflect all entities of the socialnetworking system and their interactions. As shown in the example system100, the media content transitions module 102 can be configured tocommunicate and/or operate with the data store 110.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example tagging and metadata module 202,according to an embodiment of the present technology. In someembodiments, the tagging and metadata module 104 of FIG. 1 can beimplemented with the tagging and metadata module 202. The tagging andmetadata module 202 can include a concept identification module 204, atag determination module 206, and a tag presentation module 208.

The concept identification module 204 can determine concepts reflectedin media content items to which a user can be provided access. A conceptcan be anyone or anything that can be directly or indirectly reflectedin, discerned from, or implicated by a media content item. Types ofconcepts can include, for example, persons, objects, places, topics, andtime periods reflected in media content items. A media content item canreflect one or more types of concepts captured by or depicted in themedia content item. For example, a person or an object can be depictedin or captured by a media content item presenting content relating tothe person or the object. As another example, a place or a topiclikewise can be depicted in or captured by a media content itempresenting content relating to the place or the topic. Conceptsreflected in media content items can be identified by conventionalidentification techniques. For example, a concept reflected in visualcontent, such as an image, 2D video, or virtual content, can beidentified by conventional image or video recognition techniques. Asanother example, a concept reflect in audio content can be identified byconventional audio recognition techniques.

In some embodiments, the concept identification module 204 can identifyconcepts in media content items based at least in part on or facilitatedby contextual data (or metadata) associated with the media content item.Contextual data can include, for example, time data and geo-locationdata associated with media content items. The time data can includetimes of capture or creation of media content items. Geo-location datacan include geo-location data obtained by sensors or computing devicesused to capture or create media content items. Such geo-location datacan include, for example, GPS coordinate data and compass (directional)data. By considering contextual data associated with a media contentitem, the concept identification module 204 in some instances canprovide a more accurate identification of a concept reflected in themedia content item. For example, the concept identification module 204can determine that a media content item reflects either a first objector a second object. In this example, by also accounting for a particularlocation corresponding to geo-location data associated with the mediacontent item, the concept identification module 204 can determine thatthe second object is reflected in the media content item when the secondobject is known to occur with more frequency than the first object atthe particular location. Likewise, the concept identification module 204can apply time data in a similar manner to more accurately identifyconcepts reflected in media content items. Contextual data also caninclude, for example, information relating to social signals associatedwith a media content item. The social signals can include variousinformation, such as identity (or profile) of a provider of the mediacontent item, identities of users who have interacted with (e.g.,fanned, commented on, shared, etc.) or viewed the media content item,comments posted regarding the media content item, etc. In someembodiments, the concept identification module 204 can be implemented byone or more machine learning models (or classifiers) that can be trainedon features relating to content of the media content items as well asassociated contextual data to identify concepts reflected in the mediacontent items.

The tag determination module 206 can assign tags to concepts reflectedin a media content item. The tags can identify or otherwise beindicative of subject matter of the concepts reflected in a mediacontent item. For example, a concept detected in a media content itemthat relates to certain subject matter can be assigned a tag thatdenotes or indicates the subject matter. Tags can be text, graphics,logos, or any other indication of a concept. In some embodiments, tagsassociated with concepts can correspond to nodes in a graphrepresentative of entities in a social networking system. In some cases,a node corresponding to a tag can be a page (or profile) on the socialnetworking system that provides content related to subject matter of aconcept associated with the tag. The tag determination module 206 canidentify media content items reflecting the same or similar conceptsbased on assignment of the same tags for the media content items. Insome embodiments, tags or their corresponding nodes in a graph of asocial networking system can be organized in a variety of manners. Forexample, tags can be hierarchically organized or grouped into clustersbased on meanings of their associated concepts. Through organization oftags, tags that are similar in meaning, or relate to subject matter thatis similar in meaning within threshold levels of difference, can bedetermined.

In some embodiments, a tag relating to a media content item or a conceptreflected therein also can be associated with orientation data. Theorientation data can include camera orientation data and user view data.In some embodiments, the orientation data can include, for example, anangle of a camera used to capture content, translational velocity(speed, direction) of the camera, rotational velocity (speed, direction)of the camera, and a perspective (or view angle) of a user accessing thecontent. In addition to meaning similarity, tags can be determined thathave similar orientation data. As discussed in more detail herein, atransition can be selected based on similarity in orientation databetween media content items.

The tag presentation module 208 can present tags and associatedtransition markers in media content items. Transition markers arediscussed in more detail herein. A tag and an associated transitionmarker can be positioned at locations in the media content item that areadjacent to a position of a concept associated with the tag or within athreshold distance of the position of the concept. For example, withrespect to visual content, a tag and an associated transition marker canbe overlaid in the visual content so that display of the tag and theassociated transition marker are adjacent to a location of a conceptassociated with the tag. With respect to a media content item in which aconcept exhibits relative motion or has a motion trajectory in the mediacontent item, the tag presentation module 208 can determine the positionof the concept in the media content item as the concept moves. Forexample, the tag presentation module 208 can apply an optical flow orother motion tracking technique to a media content item to determine theposition and motion trajectory of concepts depicted therein. Based onthe determined positions and motion trajectories of the depictedconcepts in the media content item, a tag and a transition markerassociated with each concept can be positioned in the media content itemin a manner that follows the motion trajectory of the concept.

The tag presentation module 208 can selectively present tags andassociated transition markers in media content items. In someembodiments, all concepts identified in a media content item can beassigned tags and transition markers for potential display in the mediacontent item. A tag presented in a media content item can indicate oremphasize to a user accessing the media content item a conceptassociated with the tag. The transition maker can indicate to the useran ability or option to directly transition to other media content itemsreflecting the same or similar concepts. In some embodiments, both a tagand a transition marker associated with a concept can be presented to auser. In some embodiments, either a tag or a transition marker can bepresented to the user as an element or reference. In some embodiments,an element or reference associated with a concept and presented to theuser can function as both a tag that indicates the subject matter of theconcept and a transition marker that indicates an ability to transitionto another media content item.

Tags and their associated transition markers can be selectively employedand presented. In some embodiments, presentation of a tag or atransition marker in a media content item can be based on a permissionby a provider of the media content item to allow such presentation. Insome embodiments, a content provider associated with a media contentitem or a social networking system providing access to the media contentitem, or both, can determine which tags and transition markers out ofall possible tags and transition markers can be displayed in the mediacontent item. A determination of which tags and transition markers todisplay can be based on a variety of considerations. In someembodiments, tags and transition markers can be selected for potentialdisplay in the media content item based on the importance of associatedconcepts reflected in the media content item. In this regard, tags andtransition markers corresponding to concepts having a threshold level ofimportance can be displayed. For example, a level of importance of aconcept can be determined based on an amount of user interaction with apage on a social networking system associated with the concept, anamount of user interaction with (e.g., selection of) the tag ortransition marker, etc. In some embodiments, tags and transition markerscan be selected for display in the media content item based on theirrelevance to a user accessing the media content item. For instance, tagsand transition markers relating to concepts that are deemed to have athreshold level of relevance to interests of a user can be displayed tothe user. Tags and transitions markers relating to concepts that are notdeemed to have the threshold level of relevance to interests of the userare not displayed to the user. A level of relevance to interests of auser can be determined based on a variety of considerations. Suchconsiderations can include, for example, demographic informationrelating to the user, actions taken by the user on a social networkingsystem, actions taken by connections of the user on the socialnetworking system, etc. In some embodiments, tags and transition markerscan be selected for display in the media content item based on factorsrelating to user experience. For instance, a threshold number of tagsand transition markers can be determined to avoid display of an undulylarge number of tags and transition markers and a potential appearanceof clutter in visual content. In this regard, if a number of tags andtransition markers for potential presentation in a scene (or space,media content item, etc.) is less than the threshold number of tags andtransition markers, the number of tags and transition markers can bedisplayed. If the number of tags and transition markers exceeds thethreshold number of tags and transition markers, the number of tags andtransition markers exceeding the threshold are not displayed. Manyvariations are possible.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example content transitions module 242, accordingto an embodiment of the present technology. In some embodiments, thecontent transitions module 106 of FIG. 1 can be implemented with thecontent transitions module 242. The content transitions module 242 caninclude a transition marker module 244, a content selection module 246,and a transition execution module 248.

The transition marker module 244 can present a transition marker in amedia content item that allows a user accessing the media content itemto transition to another media content item. A transition marker can beany reference or element that can indicate to a user the existence of apotential transition from a media content item to another media contentitem. Examples of a transition marker can include a light, a door, apoint, a curtain, a window, a passage, a tunnel, a portal, etc. Thetransition marker can be associated with a tag selected for presentationin a media content item. In some embodiments, the transition marker canbe positioned at a location in a media content item that is adjacent to,or within a threshold distance from, a position of an associated tag orconcept in the media content item, as discussed.

A user accessing a media content item can be presented with a transitionmarker in the media content item to indicate an option to transition toanother media content item based on a concept associated with thetransition marker. The transition marker can be selected by the userthrough interaction with the transition marker in a variety of manners.As just one example, with respect to virtual content, the transitionmarker can be selected by an appropriate command or gesture provided bythe user. In some instances, the command or gesture can include a gazeby the user at the transition marker as detected by headgear worn by theuser in support of a VR environment, a step by the user in a directionof the transition marker in a VR environment, a hand gestureconstituting a selection of the transition marker as detected by asensors in a wearable device allowing interaction in a VR environment, atouch gesture to a touch screen, etc.

The content selection module 246 can identify a tag associated with aselected transition marker corresponding to a first media content item.Because each tag in a media content item is indicative of subject matterof a corresponding concept, the tags in media content items can be usedto identify media content items that reflect the same or similarconcepts and subject matter. Accordingly, the identified tag for thefirst media content item can be used to identify a set (or plurality) ofmedia content items that reflect one or more concepts that are the sameas or similar to the concept associated with the tag. The set of mediacontent items constitute candidate media content items that the user maypotentially proceed to access upon selection of the transition marker.In some embodiments, the set of media content items can be selectedbased on their inclusion of a tag that is the same as the tag associatedwith the selected transition marker. In some embodiments, the set ofmedia content items can be selected based on their inclusion of a tagthat is similar by a threshold amount to the tag associated with theselected transition marker. A degree of similarity between tags can bereflected through, for example, hierarchical organizations orcategorizations to which the tags belong or cluster relationships of thetags. Because the set of media content items reflect a concept that isthe same as or similar to a concept associated with a selectedtransition marker, user experience in relation to transition of a userto a media content item from the set of media content items can beoptimized. In some embodiments, a tag associated with a selectedtransition marker relating to a first media content item and tagsassociated with a set of media content items also can contain or beassociated with orientation data. Selection of the set of media contentitems in relation to the first media content item also can be based onsimilarity in orientation data between the first media content item andthe set of media content items. In some instances, in addition toconceptual similarity, orientation data can be used to determine asecond media content item from the set of media content items to whichthe first media content item can transition, as described in more detailherein.

The content selection module 246 can select a second media content itemfrom the set of media content items for display to a user in atransition from a first media content item. As referenced, a transitioncan involve a first media content item of any type and a second mediacontent item of any type. In some embodiments, the set of media contentitems can be scored based on a variety of considerations. Theconsiderations can include, for example, the degree of similaritybetween tags of the first media content item and each media content itemin the set, a level of relevance of a concept reflected by a tag of eachmedia content item to interests of a user, whether a media content itemin the set is provided by a connection of a user on a social networkingsystem, popularity of each media content item in the set as determinedby interactions of other users in a social networking system, etc. Theset of media content items can be ranked based on their scores. In someembodiments, a threshold number of highest scoring media content itemsfrom the set can be presented to a user in a menu or list upon selectionby the user of a transition marker reflected in the first media contentitem. A second media content item to which the user can transition canbe selected by the user from the menu or the list. In some embodiments,a highest scoring media content item from the set can be presented tothe user as the second media content item. In one example, the user canapprove a transition involving the second media content item beforepresentation of the second media content item. In some embodiments,selection of a media content item as a second media content item can bebased on a permission provided by a content provider of the mediacontent item.

The transition execution module 248 can execute a transition between afirst media content item and a second media content item to optimizeuser experience. The transition execution module 248 can create orconfigure a transition between the first media content item and thesecond media content item to avoid abrupt or discordant mergers ofcontent or suboptimal user experience. Such configuration can includeapplication of conventional image, video, audio, or haptic editing ormodification techniques. For example, the transition execution module248 can selectively apply filters to visual, audio, and haptic signalspresented by a first media content item and a second media content itemso that the signals are matched in value within threshold differencevalues to produce a smooth transition. For instance, the transitionexecution module 248 can selectively employ fading (or white out orblack out) and amplification (e.g., zooming in or zooming out) of mediacontent items, as appropriate, in a transition. In some embodiments, thetransition execution module 248 can determine optimal transition pointsbetween two media content items at which to apply a transition. In someembodiments, the transition execution module 248 can apply a selectedcut or transition between a first media content item and a second mediacontent item. As just one example, a graphic match (or form) cut inwhich a transition is based on similarity in shape and size of an objectdepicted in a first media content item and an object depicted in asecond media content item can be used to create a transition between themedia content items. Other factors can be considered in theconfiguration or selection of a transition between media content items,as discussed in more detail herein.

The transition execution module 248 can configure transitions to havedynamic properties. In some embodiments, a transition to a second mediacontent item is configured to allow a user to return to the first mediacontent item. For example, while accessing a first media content item(e.g., virtual content), a user can select a transition marker thatcauses presentation of one or more second media content items (e.g.,images). The one or more second media content items can be accessed bythe user in a manner that allows the user to quickly and directly returnto accessing the first media content item. For instance, the transitioncan be performed by presentation of the one or more second media contentitems through a secondary user interface element (e.g., modal window)that is subordinate to a primary user interface element through whichthe first media content item is presented. To return to the first mediacontent item after accessing the one or more second media content items,the user can dismiss the second user interface element to resume accessto the first media content item.

The content transitions module 242 can generate transitions (orteleportation, tunneling, jumping, etc.) between media content items,which include VR environments, in other manners with optional use of oneor more of the transition marker module 244, the content selectionmodule 246, and the transition execution module 248. In someembodiments, the content transitions module 242 can support transitionsbetween media content items for a user in a VR environment. A user whois experiencing a VR environment can view a variety of media contentitems. When a user selects a media content item, the content transitionsmodule 242 can execute a transition to a second media content item thatis presented to the user in the VR environment. For example, a user canselect a media content item by an appropriate user command or gesture,such as gazing at the media content item for a predetermined duration.In some embodiments, the second media content item can be an adaptationof the first media content item that, when presented to a user, providesa more immersive experience than the first media content item. Forexample, based on a user command or gesture selecting a first mediacontent item, a second media content item adapted from a first mediacontent item can be presented to a user as a 360 degree experience, suchas a photo sphere or other virtual content that surrounds the user.

In some embodiments, a user can select a concept depicted in a VRenvironment. The selection can be performed by an appropriate usercommand or gesture, as indicated. In response to selection of theconcept, a tag identifying or describing the concept can be presentedadjacent to the concept. For example, if a person is depicted in a VRenvironment presented to a user and the user selects the person, a tagidentifying the person can be presented in the VR environment to theuser. In some embodiments, when a person presented in a VR environmentis selected by a user, the user can be transitioned in a manner suchthat the user can be presented with a destination in the VR environmentassociated with the person, such as a location, resource, or otherprofile or portal in the VR environment dedicated for the person. Theprofile or portal of a user, such as the person, can include acollection of media content items associated with the user in the VRenvironment. In addition, the profile or portal can include informationrelating to a presence of the user in the VR environment andinteractions of the user therein. For example, the profile or portal caninclude a listing of connections (e.g., friends) of the user in the VRenvironment and a collection of media content items associated with theuser. In some cases, the listing of connections of the user can includea collection of avatars representing the connections. The collection ofmedia content items can include media content items provided by theuser, interacted with (e.g., liked, commented on, shared, etc.) by theuser, provided by connections of the user, etc. In some embodiments,when a user accesses or views a profile or portal of the user, the usercan select a first connection, or an avatar associated with the firstconnection, listed in the profile or portal of the user. The selectioncan be performed by an appropriate user command or gesture, asindicated. In response to selection of the first connection, the usercan be transitioned so that the user is accessing or viewing a profileor portal of the first connection. When accessing or viewing the profileor portal of the first connection, a listing of connections of the firstconnection likewise can be presented to the user. If the user selects asecond connection from the listing, the user can be likewisetransitioned so that the user is accessing or viewing a profile orportal of the selected second connection. A series of transitions can beperformed in this manner to allow a user to transition from oneconnection in one profile or portal to as many other connections inother profiles or portals as is desired.

FIG. 2C illustrates an example transition matching module 282, accordingto an embodiment of the present technology. In some embodiments, thetransition matching module 108 of FIG. 1 can be implemented with thetransition matching module 282. The transition matching module 282 caninclude an orientation module 284 and an adaptation module 286.

The orientation module 284 can obtain metadata and contextual data toassist in identification of a second media content item to which a firstmedia content item can transition. In some embodiments, the metadata caninclude orientation data, which includes motion data, associated withmedia content items. The orientation data can include camera orientationdata and user view data. In some embodiments, the orientation data caninclude an angle of a camera used to capture content, translationalvelocity (speed, direction) of the camera, rotational velocity (speed,direction) of the camera, and a perspective (or view angle) of a useraccessing the content, to name some examples. In some embodiments, theorientation data can be determined or measured in relation to a conceptreflected in a media content item that is viewed by a user. Theorientation data can be determined based on sensor data acquired fromorientation or position sensors associated with a camera or a computingdevice on which the camera is implemented (e.g., accelerometer,gyroscope, GPS device, etc.), or sensors that can detect a view angle(or gaze direction) of a user while consuming a media content item(e.g., headset, monitoring camera, etc.). The orientation data can bebased on visual indicators in a media content item, such as a detectedhorizon line in a media content item or a directional compass determinedin relation to the media content item. To optimize a transition, theorientation module 284 can select, or weight more heavily in selectionof media content items, a media content item associated with orientationdata that is similar to or within one or more threshold differencevalues of orientation data associated with a first media content item.Such a media content item can constitute a second media content item towhich the first media content item can transition.

For example, assume a first media content item is captured with a cameraor cameras having a particular translational velocity or a particularrotational velocity with respect to a concept reflected the first mediacontent item. Selection by the user of a transition marker associatedwith the concept, in turn, can prompt selection of a suitable secondmedia content item to which the user can transition. As discussed inmore detail herein, one or more media content items that reflect aconcept or associated tag that is the same as or similar to a concept orassociated tag reflected in a first media content item can be identifiedas candidates to constitute a second media content item. In thisexample, the orientation module 284 in some instances also can select,weight, or prioritize one or more media content items associated withthe same camera translational velocity or rotational velocity withrespect to the reflected concept for selection as the second mediacontent item. In some instances, one or more media content itemsassociated with camera translational velocities or rotational velocitieswith respect to the reflected concept that are within thresholddifference values of, respectively, the camera translational velocityand the rotational velocity associated with the first media content itemcan be potentially selected as the second media content item. In someembodiments, a sequence of media content items can be linked as a chainof media content items such that each pair of media content itemsconnected by a transition has the same or similar orientation data. Insome embodiments, each media content item can be scored and ranked as apotential second media content item based at least in part on the extentto which its associated orientation data matches orientation dataassociated with a first media content item. In some instances, a highestranking media content item can be selected as the second media contentitem to which the first media content item can transition. In someinstances, a threshold number of lowest ranking media content items canbe discarded from consideration as a potential second media content itemeven if they otherwise reflect concepts that are the same or similar toa concept in a first media content item. In this manner, certain mediacontent items can be eliminated from consideration in a transition basedon their levels of discordance with the first media content item evenwhen they reflect subject matter in common with the first media contentitem.

The adaptation module 286 can adapt a user view of a media content itemto optimize a transition between media content items. In someembodiments, the adaptation module 286 can adjust orientation data of afirst media content item or a second media content item so that theirrespective orientation data are equal or within a threshold differencevalue from one another. For example, assume that a user view in relationto a concept reflected in a first media content item is based on aparticular angle, translational velocity, or rotational velocity whenthe user selects a transition marker corresponding to the concept. Tooptimize a transition to a second media content item, the adaptationmodule 286 can set presentation of the second media content item to theuser so that, during the transition, the user view in relation to theconcept reflected in the second media content item is automaticallybased on the particular angle, translational velocity, or rotationalvelocity, or within threshold difference values therefrom. In someembodiments, the adaptation module 286 can select a user view for a useraccessing a second media content item based on orientation data that ispredetermined by a provider of the second media content item. Forexample, a user can be presented with a particular user view of a secondmedia content item based on predetermined orientation data even if theparticular user view is discordant with a user view of a user inrelation to a first media content item prior to a transition to thesecond media content item.

The adaptation module 286 can modify orientation data associated withmedia content items to optimize transitions. In some embodiments,orientation data associated with a second media content item can bemodified or adjusted to match orientation data associated with a firstmedia content item to optimize a transition. For example, assume that acamera rotational velocity associated with a first media content item isa particular value. Assume further that another media content item hasbeen selected as a potential second media content item based on a commontag reflected in the media content items. Assume still further that thepotential second media content item is associated with a camerarotational velocity that is different from the camera rotationalvelocity associated with the first media content item. The adaptationmodule 286 can process and edit the second media content item so thatthe rotational velocity associated with the potential second mediacontent item is equal to or within a threshold difference value from thecamera rotational velocity associated with the first media content item.For example, the adaptation module 286 can adjust a number of frames ofand otherwise modify the second media content item to alter therotational velocity of the second media content item.

With respect to the orientation module 284 and the adaptation module296, the threshold difference values can be adjustable to set anallowable amount of deviation in orientation data as between a firstmedia content item and a second media content item. The allowable amountof deviation in orientation data can relate to a desired amount ofsmoothness in a transition from a first media content item to a secondmedia content item. In various embodiments, the threshold differencevalues can be selected or adjusted by a user accessing the media contentitems, a provider of the first media content item, a provider of thesecond media content item, or an administrator of a social networkingsystem through which media content items are accessed.

FIG. 3A illustrates a first example scenario, according to an embodimentof the present technology. The scenario involves a user interface 300for presenting a first media content item 302 to a user. The userinterface 300 can be presented to a user through a suitable display. Thedisplay can be supported by a computing device or equipment that canpresent one or more media content item types. Although not shown, theuser interface 300 can also provide audio content, haptic content, andother forms of content to the user. The first media content item 302 canbe any suitable type of media content item, such as virtual content(e.g., a 360 video). In other examples, other types of media contentitems can be presented. The first media content item 302 can be analyzedby the media content transitions module 102 to identify conceptsdepicted therein. Based on various recognition techniques, conceptsreflected in the first media content item 302 are identified. As shown,clouds 304, a sky 306, a Canadian goose 308, a mountain 310, an ocean312, and an airplane 326 are concepts detected in the first mediacontent item 302. Based on interests of the user as determined by asocial networking system, concepts of potential interest to the user areindicated by tags and corresponding transition markers. In particular, atag 314 appears adjacent to (or within a threshold distance from) theCanadian goose 308; a tag 316 appears adjacent to the mountain 310; anda tag 318 appears adjacent to the sky 306. Tags and associatedtransition markers for the clouds 304 and the airplane 326 do not appearin the first media content item 302 because their corresponding conceptshave been determined to lack a threshold level of relevance for theuser.

Transition markers associated with detected concepts of relevance to theuser appear in the first media content item 302. As shown, a transitionmarker 320 appears adjacent to the Canadian goose 308; a transitionmarker 322 is overlaid on the sky 306; and a transition marker 324 isoverlaid on the mountain 310. Each transition marker conveys to the userthat a transition to a second media content item based on the associatedconcept can be selected. For example, selection of the transition marker320 associated with the concept of the Canadian goose 308 can trigger atransition that allows the user to access a second media content itemalso reflecting the concept of the Canadian goose 308. As anotherexample, selection of the transition marker 324 associated with theconcept of the mountain 310 can trigger a transition that allows theuser to access a second media content item also reflecting the conceptof the mountain 310. The user can select a transition marker byprovision of an appropriate user command or gesture, such as gazing at atransition marker for a predetermined amount of time or otherwiseapplying an appropriate control through equipment supportive of userinteraction in the virtual content. Although each transition marker isdepicted in the manner shown, it will be appreciated that other formsand representations of transition markers are possible. In someembodiments not illustrated, tags and transitions markers can beintegrated into single references or elements. In various embodimentsnot illustrated, tags or transitions markers, or both, are notpresented. For example, a transition to a second media content item canbe executed based on selection by a user of the concept itself.

FIG. 3B illustrates a second example scenario, according to anembodiment of the present technology. In this scenario, a second user,who is different from the user described in FIG. 3A, is presented withthe first media content item 302. The first media content item 302 canbe analyzed by the media content transitions module 102 to identifyconcepts depicted therein. Based on various recognition techniques,concepts reflected in the first media content item 302 are identified.As shown, the clouds 304, the sky 306, the Canadian goose 308, themountain 310, the ocean 312, and the airplane 326 are concepts detectedin the first media content item 302. Based on interests of the seconduser as determined by a social networking system, concepts of potentialinterest to the second user are indicated by tags and correspondingtransition markers. In particular, a tag 330 and a transition marker 332appear adjacent to (or within a threshold distance from) the airplane326. Tags and associated transition markers for the clouds 304, the sky306, the Canadian goose 308, the mountain 310, and the ocean 312 do notappear in the first media content item 302 because their correspondingconcepts have been determined to lack a threshold level of relevance forthe second user.

FIG. 3C illustrates a third example scenario, according to an embodimentof the present technology. In this scenario, presentation of the firstmedia content item 302 to the user has proceeded from presentation ofthe first media content item 302 shown in FIG. 3A. As the presentationof the first media content item 302 proceeds, the positions of theconcepts reflected therein change. The media content transitions module102 tracks motion trajectories of the concepts in the first mediacontent item 302. Based on the tracking, the media content transitionsmodule 102 can present tags and transition markers for the concepts inthe first media content item 302 in a manner that follows the motiontrajectory of the concepts. For example, the position of the Canadiangoose 308 in the first media content item 302 has changed in comparisonto its position in FIG. 3A. As a result, a position of the tag 314 and aposition of the transition marker 320 associated with the Canadian goose308 have changed to follow the motion trajectory of the Canadian goose308. Because the relative position of the sky 306 has not changed, aposition of the tag 318 and a position of the transition marker 322associated with the sky 306 have not changed.

As shown, the user has selected the transition marker 320 associatedwith the Canadian goose 308 through a user gesture 340. In response tothe selection, the media content transitions module 102 can identifyappropriate media content items from which a second media content itemcan be selected. Media content items reflecting a concept that is thesame as or similar to the Canadian goose 308 can be determined. Inaddition, various data and signals, such as orientation data and socialsignals, can be applied to further refine the list of media contentitems to potentially constitute the second media content item to whichthe user will be transitioned. For example, media content items that areprovided to the social networking system by connections of the user,liked by connections of the user, or are deemed most popular can beprioritized over other media content items. In addition, orientationdata associated with the first media content item 302 can be consideredin selecting a second media content item. For example, media contentitems that are associated with orientation data that is the same as orsimilar to orientation data associated with the first media content item302 within appropriate threshold difference values can be prioritizedfor consideration. Once a second media content item is selected, themedia content transitions module 102 can configure a transition from thefirst media content item 302 to optimize user experience and to minimizediscordance in presentation from the first media content item 302 to thesecond media content item.

FIG. 3D illustrates a fourth example scenario, according to anembodiment of the present technology. In this scenario, a second mediacontent item 350 has been selected in response to selection by the userof the transition marker 320 in FIG. 3C. As shown, the second mediacontent item 350 reflects the same concept as the concept selected inthe first media content item 302, namely the Canadian goose 308.Further, as shown, the orientation data associated with the second mediacontent item 350 in relation to the Canadian goose 308 is the same as orsimilar to the orientation data of the first media content item 302 inrelation to the Canadian goose 308 within appropriate thresholddifference values. The orientation data can include, for example, atranslational velocity and a rotational velocity of one or more camerasin relation to capture of the Canadian goose 308.

New concepts are reflected in the second media content item 350. Asshown, a skyscraper 354 and a moon 352 have been identified as conceptsreflected in the second media content item 350. Because the skyscraper354 has been determined to be relevant to the interests of the user, atag 356 and a transition marker 358 associated with the skyscraper 354are presented. If the user wishes to access additional contentreflecting the concept of the skyscraper 354, the user can select thetransition marker 358 to transition to another media content itemreflecting that concept. No tag or transition marker associated with themoon 352 is presented in the second media content item 350 because ithas been determined that the concept of the moon 352 does not satisfy athreshold level of relevance to the interests of the user.

FIG. 3E illustrates a fifth example scenario 360, according to anembodiment of the present technology. In the scenario 360, a user isexperiencing a VR environment providing an immersive experience for theuser. The user is presented as an avatar 362. In the VR environment, theavatar 362 of the user can view a variety of types of media contentitems, such as thumbnail images, 2D images, panoramic images, 360photos, 2D videos, 360 videos, etc. A collection 364 of media contentitems is selectable by the user. The user can select a media contentitem from the collection 364 by an appropriate user command or gesture.As shown, the user has selected a particular media content item 366 fromthe collection 364 by gazing at the media content item 366 for apredetermined duration. For example, the media content item 366 can be a2D image. In response to selection by the user of the media content item366, a transition can be executed that causes presentation of adifferent, second media content item to the user in the VR environment.The second media content item, which can be an adaptation of the firstmedia content item, can provide a more immersive experience to the useras compared to the first media content item. For example, as shown inFIG. 3F, a second media content item adapted from a first media contentitem can be presented to a user as a 360 degree experience, such as aphoto sphere or other virtual content, that surrounds the user.

FIG. 3F illustrates a sixth example scenario 370, according to anembodiment of the present technology. In the scenario 370, the user isexperiencing a VR environment to which the user has been transitioned(or teleported, tunneled, jumped, etc.) from the scenario 360 in FIG.3E. In this regard, presentation of the media content item 366 to theuser in the scenario 360 in FIG. 3E has transitioned to presentation ofa media content item 372 to the user. As shown, the media content item372 can be a 3D media content item, such as a 360 image, that providesan immersive experience for the user. The user can view and selectconcepts depicted in the media content item 372. The user can select aconcept depicted in the media content item 372 by an appropriate usercommand or gesture. The selection of the concept can cause an identifierof the concept, such as a tag, to be presented in the media content item372 and can cause a resulting transition to another scenario. As shown,a person 374 can be depicted in the media content item 372. The user canselect the person 374 by gazing at the person 374 for a predeterminedfirst duration. The selection of the person 374 can cause a tag 376identifying the person 374 to be presented in the media content item372. By indicating a desire to transition in relation to the person 374,the user can be transitioned so that the user is presented with adestination in the VR environment associated with the person 374. Forexample, the desire to transition can be indicated by gazing at theperson 374 for a predetermined second duration. The destination can be,for example, a location, resource, or other profile or portal in the VRenvironment associated with the person 374, as shown in FIG. 3G.

FIG. 3G illustrates a seventh example scenario 380, according to anembodiment of the present technology. In the scenario 380, presentationof the media content item 372 in FIG. 3F has transitioned topresentation of a media content item 382 in a VR environment thatprovides an immersive experience for the user. In this regard, selectionby the user of the person 374 in the scenario 370 in FIG. 3F caused theuser to be transitioned so that the user is presented with a profile orportal in the VR environment associated with the person 374. The profileor portal can include information relating to a presence andinteractions of the person 374 in the VR environment. For example, theprofile or portal can include a collection 384 of connections (e.g.,friends) of the person 374 in the VR environment. The collection 384 ofconnections of the person 374 can be represented by, for example,images, thumbnails, or avatars of the connections. The user can selectan avatar 386 of a first connection of the person 374 from thecollection 384. The selection can be performed by an appropriate usercommand or gesture, such as gazing at the first connection for apredetermined duration. In response to selection of the firstconnection, the user can be transitioned so that the user is presentedwith a profile or portal of the first connection in the VR environment.In a similar manner, the user can select an avatar of a secondconnection in the profile or portal of the first connection and betransitioned in a manner such that a profile or portal of the secondconnection is presented to the user. Any sequence or number oftransitions to profiles or portals of various persons or otherdestinations in the VR environment can be performed in this manner bythe user.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example method 400 relating to tagging andmetadata, according to an embodiment of the present technology. Itshould be appreciated that there can be additional, fewer, oralternative steps performed in similar or alternative orders, or inparallel, in accordance with the various embodiments and featuresdiscussed herein unless otherwise stated.

At block 402, the method 400 can detect a concept reflected in a firstmedia content item to which a user is provided access. At block 404, themethod 400 can determine that the concept has a threshold level ofrelevance to the user. At block 406, the method 400 can associate theconcept with an element that upon selection causes a transition to asecond media content item to which the user is provided access, thesecond media content item reflecting the concept. At block 408, themethod 400 can present the element in the first media content item forthe user. Other suitable techniques that incorporate various featuresand embodiments of the present technology are possible.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example method 450 relating to contenttransitions, according to an embodiment of the present technology. Itshould be appreciated that there can be additional, fewer, oralternative steps performed in similar or alternative orders, or inparallel, in accordance with the various embodiments and featuresdiscussed herein unless otherwise stated.

At block 452, the method 450 can receive from a user a selectionassociated with a first media content item to cause a transition fromthe first media content item. At block 454, the method 450 can configurea transition between the first media content item and a second mediacontent item. At block 456, the method 450 can present the transitionfor the user in response to the selection. Other suitable techniquesthat incorporate various features and embodiments of the presenttechnology are possible.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example method 500 relating to transitionsmatching, according to an embodiment of the present technology. Itshould be appreciated that there can be additional, fewer, oralternative steps performed in similar or alternative orders, or inparallel, in accordance with the various embodiments and featuresdiscussed herein unless otherwise stated.

At block 502, the method 500 can determine orientation data associatedwith a first media content item. At block 504, the method 500 can selecta second media content item to which the first media content cantransition based on the orientation data. At block 506, the method 500can present a transition from the first media content item to the secondmedia content item. Other suitable techniques that incorporate variousfeatures and embodiments of the present technology are possible.

It is contemplated that there can be many other uses, applications,features, possibilities, and variations associated with variousembodiments of the present technology. For example, users can choosewhether or not to opt-in to utilize the present technology. The presenttechnology also can ensure that various privacy settings, preferences,and configurations are maintained and can prevent private informationfrom being divulged. In another example, various embodiments of thepresent technology can learn, improve, and be refined over time.

Social Networking System—Example Implementation

FIG. 6 illustrates a network diagram of an example system 600 that canbe utilized in various scenarios, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present technology. The system 600 includes one or more user devices610, one or more external systems 620, a social networking system (orservice) 630, and a network 655. In an embodiment, the social networkingservice, provider, and/or system discussed in connection with theembodiments described above may be implemented as the social networkingsystem 630. For purposes of illustration, the embodiment of the system600, shown by FIG. 6, includes a single external system 620 and a singleuser device 610. However, in other embodiments, the system 600 mayinclude more user devices 610 and/or more external systems 620. Incertain embodiments, the social networking system 630 is operated by asocial network provider, whereas the external systems 620 are separatefrom the social networking system 630 in that they may be operated bydifferent entities. In various embodiments, however, the socialnetworking system 630 and the external systems 620 operate inconjunction to provide social networking services to users (or members)of the social networking system 630. In this sense, the socialnetworking system 630 provides a platform or backbone, which othersystems, such as external systems 620, may use to provide socialnetworking services and functionalities to users across the Internet.

The user device 610 comprises one or more computing devices that canreceive input from a user and transmit and receive data via the network655. In one embodiment, the user device 610 is a conventional computersystem executing, for example, a Microsoft Windows compatible operatingsystem (OS), Apple OS X, and/or a Linux distribution. In anotherembodiment, the user device 610 can be a device having computerfunctionality, such as a smart-phone, a tablet, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, etc. The user device 610 isconfigured to communicate via the network 655. The user device 610 canexecute an application, for example, a browser application that allows auser of the user device 610 to interact with the social networkingsystem 630. In another embodiment, the user device 610 interacts withthe social networking system 630 through an application programminginterface (API) provided by the native operating system of the userdevice 610, such as iOS and ANDROID. The user device 610 is configuredto communicate with the external system 620 and the social networkingsystem 630 via the network 655, which may comprise any combination oflocal area and/or wide area networks, using wired and/or wirelesscommunication systems.

In one embodiment, the network 655 uses standard communicationstechnologies and protocols. Thus, the network 655 can include linksusing technologies such as Ethernet, 802.11, worldwide interoperabilityfor microwave access (WiMAX), 3G, 4G, CDMA, GSM, LTE, digital subscriberline (DSL), etc. Similarly, the networking protocols used on the network655 can include multiprotocol label switching (MPLS), transmissioncontrol protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), User Datagram Protocol(UDP), hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), simple mail transferprotocol (SMTP), file transfer protocol (FTP), and the like. The dataexchanged over the network 655 can be represented using technologiesand/or formats including hypertext markup language (HTML) and extensiblemarkup language (XML). In addition, all or some links can be encryptedusing conventional encryption technologies such as secure sockets layer(SSL), transport layer security (TLS), and Internet Protocol security(IPsec).

In one embodiment, the user device 610 may display content from theexternal system 620 and/or from the social networking system 630 byprocessing a markup language document 614 received from the externalsystem 620 and from the social networking system 630 using a browserapplication 612. The markup language document 614 identifies content andone or more instructions describing formatting or presentation of thecontent. By executing the instructions included in the markup languagedocument 614, the browser application 612 displays the identifiedcontent using the format or presentation described by the markuplanguage document 614. For example, the markup language document 614includes instructions for generating and displaying a web page havingmultiple frames that include text and/or image data retrieved from theexternal system 620 and the social networking system 630. In variousembodiments, the markup language document 614 comprises a data fileincluding extensible markup language (XML) data, extensible hypertextmarkup language (XHTML) data, or other markup language data.Additionally, the markup language document 614 may include JavaScriptObject Notation (JSON) data, JSON with padding (JSONP), and JavaScriptdata to facilitate data-interchange between the external system 620 andthe user device 610. The browser application 612 on the user device 610may use a JavaScript compiler to decode the markup language document614.

The markup language document 614 may also include, or link to,applications or application frameworks such as FLASH™ or Unity™applications, the SilverLight™ application framework, etc.

In one embodiment, the user device 610 also includes one or more cookies616 including data indicating whether a user of the user device 610 islogged into the social networking system 630, which may enablemodification of the data communicated from the social networking system630 to the user device 610.

The external system 620 includes one or more web servers that includeone or more web pages 622 a, 622 b, which are communicated to the userdevice 610 using the network 655. The external system 620 is separatefrom the social networking system 630. For example, the external system620 is associated with a first domain, while the social networkingsystem 630 is associated with a separate social networking domain. Webpages 622 a, 622 b, included in the external system 620, comprise markuplanguage documents 614 identifying content and including instructionsspecifying formatting or presentation of the identified content.

The social networking system 630 includes one or more computing devicesfor a social network, including a plurality of users, and providingusers of the social network with the ability to communicate and interactwith other users of the social network. In some instances, the socialnetwork can be represented by a graph, i.e., a data structure includingedges and nodes. Other data structures can also be used to represent thesocial network, including but not limited to databases, objects,classes, meta elements, files, or any other data structure. The socialnetworking system 630 may be administered, managed, or controlled by anoperator. The operator of the social networking system 630 may be ahuman being, an automated application, or a series of applications formanaging content, regulating policies, and collecting usage metricswithin the social networking system 630. Any type of operator may beused.

Users may join the social networking system 630 and then add connectionsto any number of other users of the social networking system 630 to whomthey desire to be connected. As used herein, the term “friend” refers toany other user of the social networking system 630 to whom a user hasformed a connection, association, or relationship via the socialnetworking system 630. For example, in an embodiment, if users in thesocial networking system 630 are represented as nodes in the socialgraph, the term “friend” can refer to an edge formed between anddirectly connecting two user nodes.

Connections may be added explicitly by a user or may be automaticallycreated by the social networking system 630 based on commoncharacteristics of the users (e.g., users who are alumni of the sameeducational institution). For example, a first user specifically selectsa particular other user to be a friend. Connections in the socialnetworking system 630 are usually in both directions, but need not be,so the terms “user” and “friend” depend on the frame of reference.Connections between users of the social networking system 630 areusually bilateral (“two-way”), or “mutual,” but connections may also beunilateral, or “one-way.” For example, if Bob and Joe are both users ofthe social networking system 630 and connected to each other, Bob andJoe are each other's connections. If, on the other hand, Bob wishes toconnect to Joe to view data communicated to the social networking system630 by Joe, but Joe does not wish to form a mutual connection, aunilateral connection may be established. The connection between usersmay be a direct connection; however, some embodiments of the socialnetworking system 630 allow the connection to be indirect via one ormore levels of connections or degrees of separation.

In addition to establishing and maintaining connections between usersand allowing interactions between users, the social networking system630 provides users with the ability to take actions on various types ofitems supported by the social networking system 630. These items mayinclude groups or networks (i.e., social networks of people, entities,and concepts) to which users of the social networking system 630 maybelong, events or calendar entries in which a user might be interested,computer-based applications that a user may use via the socialnetworking system 630, transactions that allow users to buy or sellitems via services provided by or through the social networking system630, and interactions with advertisements that a user may perform on oroff the social networking system 630. These are just a few examples ofthe items upon which a user may act on the social networking system 630,and many others are possible. A user may interact with anything that iscapable of being represented in the social networking system 630 or inthe external system 620, separate from the social networking system 630,or coupled to the social networking system 630 via the network 655.

The social networking system 630 is also capable of linking a variety ofentities. For example, the social networking system 630 enables users tointeract with each other as well as external systems 620 or otherentities through an API, a web service, or other communication channels.The social networking system 630 generates and maintains the “socialgraph” comprising a plurality of nodes interconnected by a plurality ofedges. Each node in the social graph may represent an entity that canact on another node and/or that can be acted on by another node. Thesocial graph may include various types of nodes. Examples of types ofnodes include users, non-person entities, content items, web pages,groups, activities, messages, concepts, and any other things that can berepresented by an object in the social networking system 630. An edgebetween two nodes in the social graph may represent a particular kind ofconnection, or association, between the two nodes, which may result fromnode relationships or from an action that was performed by one of thenodes on the other node. In some cases, the edges between nodes can beweighted. The weight of an edge can represent an attribute associatedwith the edge, such as a strength of the connection or associationbetween nodes. Different types of edges can be provided with differentweights. For example, an edge created when one user “likes” another usermay be given one weight, while an edge created when a user befriendsanother user may be given a different weight.

As an example, when a first user identifies a second user as a friend,an edge in the social graph is generated connecting a node representingthe first user and a second node representing the second user. Asvarious nodes relate or interact with each other, the social networkingsystem 630 modifies edges connecting the various nodes to reflect therelationships and interactions.

The social networking system 630 also includes user-generated content,which enhances a user's interactions with the social networking system630. User-generated content may include anything a user can add, upload,send, or “post” to the social networking system 630. For example, a usercommunicates posts to the social networking system 630 from a userdevice 610. Posts may include data such as status updates or othertextual data, location information, images such as photos, videos,links, music or other similar data and/or media. Content may also beadded to the social networking system 630 by a third party. Content“items” are represented as objects in the social networking system 630.In this way, users of the social networking system 630 are encouraged tocommunicate with each other by posting text and content items of varioustypes of media through various communication channels. Suchcommunication increases the interaction of users with each other andincreases the frequency with which users interact with the socialnetworking system 630.

The social networking system 630 includes a web server 632, an APIrequest server 634, a user profile store 636, a connection store 638, anaction logger 640, an activity log 642, and an authorization server 644.In an embodiment of the invention, the social networking system 630 mayinclude additional, fewer, or different components for variousapplications. Other components, such as network interfaces, securitymechanisms, load balancers, failover servers, management and networkoperations consoles, and the like are not shown so as to not obscure thedetails of the system.

The user profile store 636 maintains information about user accounts,including biographic, demographic, and other types of descriptiveinformation, such as work experience, educational history, hobbies orpreferences, location, and the like that has been declared by users orinferred by the social networking system 630. This information is storedin the user profile store 636 such that each user is uniquelyidentified. The social networking system 630 also stores data describingone or more connections between different users in the connection store638. The connection information may indicate users who have similar orcommon work experience, group memberships, hobbies, or educationalhistory. Additionally, the social networking system 630 includesuser-defined connections between different users, allowing users tospecify their relationships with other users. For example, user-definedconnections allow users to generate relationships with other users thatparallel the users' real-life relationships, such as friends,co-workers, partners, and so forth. Users may select from predefinedtypes of connections, or define their own connection types as needed.Connections with other nodes in the social networking system 630, suchas non-person entities, buckets, cluster centers, images, interests,pages, external systems, concepts, and the like are also stored in theconnection store 638.

The social networking system 630 maintains data about objects with whicha user may interact. To maintain this data, the user profile store 636and the connection store 638 store instances of the corresponding typeof objects maintained by the social networking system 630. Each objecttype has information fields that are suitable for storing informationappropriate to the type of object. For example, the user profile store636 contains data structures with fields suitable for describing auser's account and information related to a user's account. When a newobject of a particular type is created, the social networking system 630initializes a new data structure of the corresponding type, assigns aunique object identifier to it, and begins to add data to the object asneeded. This might occur, for example, when a user becomes a user of thesocial networking system 630, the social networking system 630 generatesa new instance of a user profile in the user profile store 636, assignsa unique identifier to the user account, and begins to populate thefields of the user account with information provided by the user.

The connection store 638 includes data structures suitable fordescribing a user's connections to other users, connections to externalsystems 620 or connections to other entities. The connection store 638may also associate a connection type with a user's connections, whichmay be used in conjunction with the user's privacy setting to regulateaccess to information about the user. In an embodiment of the invention,the user profile store 636 and the connection store 638 may beimplemented as a federated database.

Data stored in the connection store 638, the user profile store 636, andthe activity log 642 enables the social networking system 630 togenerate the social graph that uses nodes to identify various objectsand edges connecting nodes to identify relationships between differentobjects. For example, if a first user establishes a connection with asecond user in the social networking system 630, user accounts of thefirst user and the second user from the user profile store 636 may actas nodes in the social graph. The connection between the first user andthe second user stored by the connection store 638 is an edge betweenthe nodes associated with the first user and the second user. Continuingthis example, the second user may then send the first user a messagewithin the social networking system 630. The action of sending themessage, which may be stored, is another edge between the two nodes inthe social graph representing the first user and the second user.Additionally, the message itself may be identified and included in thesocial graph as another node connected to the nodes representing thefirst user and the second user.

In another example, a first user may tag a second user in an image thatis maintained by the social networking system 630 (or, alternatively, inan image maintained by another system outside of the social networkingsystem 630). The image may itself be represented as a node in the socialnetworking system 630. This tagging action may create edges between thefirst user and the second user as well as create an edge between each ofthe users and the image, which is also a node in the social graph. Inyet another example, if a user confirms attending an event, the user andthe event are nodes obtained from the user profile store 636, where theattendance of the event is an edge between the nodes that may beretrieved from the activity log 642. By generating and maintaining thesocial graph, the social networking system 630 includes data describingmany different types of objects and the interactions and connectionsamong those objects, providing a rich source of socially relevantinformation.

The web server 632 links the social networking system 630 to one or moreuser devices 610 and/or one or more external systems 620 via the network655. The web server 632 serves web pages, as well as other web-relatedcontent, such as Java, JavaScript, Flash, XML, and so forth. The webserver 632 may include a mail server or other messaging functionalityfor receiving and routing messages between the social networking system630 and one or more user devices 610. The messages can be instantmessages, queued messages (e.g., email), text and SMS messages, or anyother suitable messaging format.

The API request server 634 allows one or more external systems 620 anduser devices 610 to call access information from the social networkingsystem 630 by calling one or more API functions. The API request server634 may also allow external systems 620 to send information to thesocial networking system 630 by calling APIs. The external system 620,in one embodiment, sends an API request to the social networking system630 via the network 655, and the API request server 634 receives the APIrequest. The API request server 634 processes the request by calling anAPI associated with the API request to generate an appropriate response,which the API request server 634 communicates to the external system 620via the network 655. For example, responsive to an API request, the APIrequest server 634 collects data associated with a user, such as theuser's connections that have logged into the external system 620, andcommunicates the collected data to the external system 620. In anotherembodiment, the user device 610 communicates with the social networkingsystem 630 via APIs in the same manner as external systems 620.

The action logger 640 is capable of receiving communications from theweb server 632 about user actions on and/or off the social networkingsystem 630. The action logger 640 populates the activity log 642 withinformation about user actions, enabling the social networking system630 to discover various actions taken by its users within the socialnetworking system 630 and outside of the social networking system 630.Any action that a particular user takes with respect to another node onthe social networking system 630 may be associated with each user'saccount, through information maintained in the activity log 642 or in asimilar database or other data repository. Examples of actions taken bya user within the social networking system 630 that are identified andstored may include, for example, adding a connection to another user,sending a message to another user, reading a message from another user,viewing content associated with another user, attending an event postedby another user, posting an image, attempting to post an image, or otheractions interacting with another user or another object. When a usertakes an action within the social networking system 630, the action isrecorded in the activity log 642. In one embodiment, the socialnetworking system 630 maintains the activity log 642 as a database ofentries. When an action is taken within the social networking system630, an entry for the action is added to the activity log 642. Theactivity log 642 may be referred to as an action log.

Additionally, user actions may be associated with concepts and actionsthat occur within an entity outside of the social networking system 630,such as an external system 620 that is separate from the socialnetworking system 630. For example, the action logger 640 may receivedata describing a user's interaction with an external system 620 fromthe web server 632. In this example, the external system 620 reports auser's interaction according to structured actions and objects in thesocial graph.

Other examples of actions where a user interacts with an external system620 include a user expressing an interest in an external system 620 oranother entity, a user posting a comment to the social networking system630 that discusses an external system 620 or a web page 622 a within theexternal system 620, a user posting to the social networking system 630a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or other identifier associated with anexternal system 620, a user attending an event associated with anexternal system 620, or any other action by a user that is related to anexternal system 620. Thus, the activity log 642 may include actionsdescribing interactions between a user of the social networking system630 and an external system 620 that is separate from the socialnetworking system 630.

The authorization server 644 enforces one or more privacy settings ofthe users of the social networking system 630. A privacy setting of auser determines how particular information associated with a user can beshared. The privacy setting comprises the specification of particularinformation associated with a user and the specification of the entityor entities with whom the information can be shared. Examples ofentities with which information can be shared may include other users,applications, external systems 620, or any entity that can potentiallyaccess the information. The information that can be shared by a usercomprises user account information, such as profile photos, phonenumbers associated with the user, user's connections, actions taken bythe user such as adding a connection, changing user profile information,and the like.

The privacy setting specification may be provided at different levels ofgranularity. For example, the privacy setting may identify specificinformation to be shared with other users; the privacy settingidentifies a work phone number or a specific set of related information,such as, personal information including profile photo, home phonenumber, and status. Alternatively, the privacy setting may apply to allthe information associated with the user. The specification of the setof entities that can access particular information can also be specifiedat various levels of granularity. Various sets of entities with whichinformation can be shared may include, for example, all friends of theuser, all friends of friends, all applications, or all external systems620. One embodiment allows the specification of the set of entities tocomprise an enumeration of entities. For example, the user may provide alist of external systems 620 that are allowed to access certaininformation. Another embodiment allows the specification to comprise aset of entities along with exceptions that are not allowed to access theinformation. For example, a user may allow all external systems 620 toaccess the user's work information, but specify a list of externalsystems 620 that are not allowed to access the work information. Certainembodiments call the list of exceptions that are not allowed to accesscertain information a “block list”. External systems 620 belonging to ablock list specified by a user are blocked from accessing theinformation specified in the privacy setting. Various combinations ofgranularity of specification of information, and granularity ofspecification of entities, with which information is shared arepossible. For example, all personal information may be shared withfriends whereas all work information may be shared with friends offriends.

The authorization server 644 contains logic to determine if certaininformation associated with a user can be accessed by a user's friends,external systems 620, and/or other applications and entities. Theexternal system 620 may need authorization from the authorization server644 to access the user's more private and sensitive information, such asthe user's work phone number. Based on the user's privacy settings, theauthorization server 644 determines if another user, the external system620, an application, or another entity is allowed to access informationassociated with the user, including information about actions taken bythe user.

In some embodiments, the social networking system 630 can include amedia content transitions module 646. The media content transitionsmodule 646 can be implemented with the media content transitions module102, as discussed in more detail herein. In some embodiments, one ormore functionalities of the media content transitions module 646 can beimplemented in the user device 610.

Hardware Implementation

The foregoing processes and features can be implemented by a widevariety of machine and computer system architectures and in a widevariety of network and computing environments. FIG. 7 illustrates anexample of a computer system 700 that may be used to implement one ormore of the embodiments described herein in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The computer system 700 includes sets ofinstructions for causing the computer system 700 to perform theprocesses and features discussed herein. The computer system 700 may beconnected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the computer system 700 may operate in the capacity of aserver machine or a client machine in a client-server networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. In an embodiment of the invention, the computersystem 700 may be the social networking system 630, the user device 610,and the external system 720, or a component thereof. In an embodiment ofthe invention, the computer system 700 may be one server among many thatconstitutes all or part of the social networking system 630.

The computer system 700 includes a processor 702, a cache 704, and oneor more executable modules and drivers, stored on a computer-readablemedium, directed to the processes and features described herein.Additionally, the computer system 700 includes a high performanceinput/output (I/O) bus 706 and a standard I/O bus 708. A host bridge 710couples processor 702 to high performance I/O bus 706, whereas I/O busbridge 712 couples the two buses 706 and 708 to each other. A systemmemory 714 and one or more network interfaces 716 couple to highperformance I/O bus 706. The computer system 700 may further includevideo memory and a display device coupled to the video memory (notshown). Mass storage 718 and I/O ports 720 couple to the standard I/Obus 708. The computer system 700 may optionally include a keyboard andpointing device, a display device, or other input/output devices (notshown) coupled to the standard I/O bus 708. Collectively, these elementsare intended to represent a broad category of computer hardware systems,including but not limited to computer systems based on thex86-compatible processors manufactured by Intel Corporation of SantaClara, Calif., and the x86-compatible processors manufactured byAdvanced Micro Devices (AMD), Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., as well as anyother suitable processor.

An operating system manages and controls the operation of the computersystem 700, including the input and output of data to and from softwareapplications (not shown). The operating system provides an interfacebetween the software applications being executed on the system and thehardware components of the system. Any suitable operating system may beused, such as the LINUX Operating System, the Apple Macintosh OperatingSystem, available from Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., UNIXoperating systems, Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, BSD operatingsystems, and the like. Other implementations are possible.

The elements of the computer system 700 are described in greater detailbelow. In particular, the network interface 716 provides communicationbetween the computer system 700 and any of a wide range of networks,such as an Ethernet (e.g., IEEE 802.3) network, a backplane, etc. Themass storage 718 provides permanent storage for the data and programminginstructions to perform the above-described processes and featuresimplemented by the respective computing systems identified above,whereas the system memory 714 (e.g., DRAM) provides temporary storagefor the data and programming instructions when executed by the processor702. The I/O ports 720 may be one or more serial and/or parallelcommunication ports that provide communication between additionalperipheral devices, which may be coupled to the computer system 700.

The computer system 700 may include a variety of system architectures,and various components of the computer system 700 may be rearranged. Forexample, the cache 704 may be on-chip with processor 702. Alternatively,the cache 704 and the processor 702 may be packed together as a“processor module”, with processor 702 being referred to as the“processor core”. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the invention mayneither require nor include all of the above components. For example,peripheral devices coupled to the standard I/O bus 708 may couple to thehigh performance I/O bus 706. In addition, in some embodiments, only asingle bus may exist, with the components of the computer system 700being coupled to the single bus. Moreover, the computer system 700 mayinclude additional components, such as additional processors, storagedevices, or memories.

In general, the processes and features described herein may beimplemented as part of an operating system or a specific application,component, program, object, module, or series of instructions referredto as “programs”. For example, one or more programs may be used toexecute specific processes described herein. The programs typicallycomprise one or more instructions in various memory and storage devicesin the computer system 700 that, when read and executed by one or moreprocessors, cause the computer system 700 to perform operations toexecute the processes and features described herein. The processes andfeatures described herein may be implemented in software, firmware,hardware (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit), or anycombination thereof.

In one implementation, the processes and features described herein areimplemented as a series of executable modules run by the computer system700, individually or collectively in a distributed computingenvironment. The foregoing modules may be realized by hardware,executable modules stored on a computer-readable medium (ormachine-readable medium), or a combination of both. For example, themodules may comprise a plurality or series of instructions to beexecuted by a processor in a hardware system, such as the processor 702.Initially, the series of instructions may be stored on a storage device,such as the mass storage 718. However, the series of instructions can bestored on any suitable computer readable storage medium. Furthermore,the series of instructions need not be stored locally, and could bereceived from a remote storage device, such as a server on a network,via the network interface 716. The instructions are copied from thestorage device, such as the mass storage 718, into the system memory 714and then accessed and executed by the processor 702. In variousimplementations, a module or modules can be executed by a processor ormultiple processors in one or multiple locations, such as multipleservers in a parallel processing environment.

Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to,recordable type media such as volatile and non-volatile memory devices;solid state memories; floppy and other removable disks; hard diskdrives; magnetic media; optical disks (e.g., Compact Disk Read-OnlyMemory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs)); other similarnon-transitory (or transitory), tangible (or non-tangible) storagemedium; or any type of medium suitable for storing, encoding, orcarrying a series of instructions for execution by the computer system700 to perform any one or more of the processes and features describedherein.

For purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the description. It will beapparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of thedisclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In someinstances, modules, structures, processes, features, and devices areshown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the description.In other instances, functional block diagrams and flow diagrams areshown to represent data and logic flows. The components of blockdiagrams and flow diagrams (e.g., modules, blocks, structures, devices,features, etc.) may be variously combined, separated, removed,reordered, and replaced in a manner other than as expressly describedand depicted herein.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“other embodiments”, “one series of embodiments”, “some embodiments”,“various embodiments”, or the like means that a particular feature,design, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. Theappearances of, for example, the phrase “in one embodiment” or “in anembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternativeembodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, whetheror not there is express reference to an “embodiment” or the like,various features are described, which may be variously combined andincluded in some embodiments, but also variously omitted in otherembodiments. Similarly, various features are described that may bepreferences or requirements for some embodiments, but not otherembodiments.

The language used herein has been principally selected for readabilityand instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected todelineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is thereforeintended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detaileddescription, but rather by any claims that issue on an application basedhereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the inventionis intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of theinvention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method comprising:detecting, by a computing system, a concept reflected in a first mediacontent item to which a user is provided access; determining, by thecomputing system, that the concept has a threshold level of relevance tothe user; associating, by the computing system, the concept with anelement that upon selection causes a transition to a second mediacontent item to which the user is provided access, the second mediacontent item reflecting the concept; and presenting, by the computingsystem, the element in the first media content item for the user.
 2. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a type of the firstmedia content item is at least one of an image, video, virtual content,and audio content.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,wherein a type of the second media content item is at least one of animage, video, virtual content, and audio content.
 4. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the element can beselected through a gesture by the user.
 5. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 1, further comprising: positioning the element within athreshold distance from a position of the concept reflected in the firstmedia content item.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: detecting a motion trajectory of the concept in thefirst media content item; and positioning the element in the first mediacontent item to follow the motion trajectory.
 7. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the presenting theelement in the first media content item is permitted by a provider ofthe first media content item.
 8. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the transition to the second media content item ispermitted by a provider of the second media content item.
 9. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the element is atransition marker.
 10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1,further comprising: presenting a tag indicative of subject matter of theconcept within a threshold distance from a position of the conceptreflected in the first media content item.
 11. A system comprising: atleast one processor; and a memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the at least one processor, cause the system to perform:detecting a concept reflected in a first media content item to which auser is provided access; determining that the concept has a thresholdlevel of relevance to the user; associating the concept with an elementthat upon selection causes a transition to a second media content itemto which the user is provided access, the second media content itemreflecting the concept; and presenting the element in the first mediacontent item for the user.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein a type ofthe first media content item is at least one of an image, video, virtualcontent, and audio content.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein theelement can be selected through a gesture by the user.
 14. The system ofclaim 11, further comprising: positioning the element within a thresholddistance from a position of the concept reflected in the first mediacontent item.
 15. The system of claim 11, further comprising: detectinga motion trajectory of the concept in the first media content item; andpositioning the element in the first media content item to follow themotion trajectory.
 16. A non-transitory computer-readable storage mediumincluding instructions that, when executed by at least one processor ofa computing system, cause the computing system to perform a methodcomprising: detecting a concept reflected in a first media content itemto which a user is provided access; determining that the concept has athreshold level of relevance to the user; associating the concept withan element that upon selection causes a transition to a second mediacontent item to which the user is provided access, the second mediacontent item reflecting the concept; and presenting the element in thefirst media content item for the user.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein a type of thefirst media content item is at least one of an image, video, virtualcontent, and audio content.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium of claim 16, wherein the element can be selected througha gesture by the user.
 19. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 16, further comprising: positioning the element within athreshold distance from a position of the concept reflected in the firstmedia content item.
 20. The non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium of claim 16, further comprising: detecting a motion trajectory ofthe concept in the first media content item; and positioning the elementin the first media content item to follow the motion trajectory.